The Seventh Annual Spirits of Summer Serves Up an Out-of-This-World Evening

Summer is a season made for celebration — and the Nashville Symphony Crescendo Club’s Spirits of Summer cocktail competition proved just that. Guests arrived at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center to find the lobby transformed into a celestial wonderland. Aura photography captivated the curious, couples indulged in joint birth chart readings, and in one corner, Renaissance man, chef and DJ Sean Brock set the mood with vinyl as partygoers snacked on Joyland cheeseburgers and chicken tenders.

Co-chairs Andrew Horowitz and Morgan Karr — who dressed the part with glowing shoes and out-of-this-world attire — worked the room while guests sipped cocktails and watched an incredible aerial hoop performance. Inside the Laura Turner Concert Hall, revelers gathered at the cocktail bar under the ever-present glow of a UFO installation. 

As the crowd settled into their seats, Andrew and Morgan welcomed everyone and thanked them for supporting the Nashville Symphony. Principal pops conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez then took the stage, leading four curated musical selections — each paired with a signature cocktail crafted by a standout Nashville mixologist.

The lineup featured Thomas Goad of Bar Audrey, Demi Natoli of White Limozeen, Storm Sheler of The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club, and Jason Sorbet of Barrel Proof. The musical program featured an exciting range of compositions performed by the Nashville Symphony, including works by Mozart and Holst and film scores by John Williams and Michael Giacchino. The night even featured a work composed by Enrico himself. 

Though each cocktail-music pairing was compelling, guests voted on their favorites. In the end, it was Barrel Proof’s Jason Sorbet who took home the prize for his cocktail, the Kessel Run.